Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Bureau of Labor Statistics Reports

The United States’ Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that disorders associated with repeated trauma, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, were the dominant type of newly reported cases of occupational illnesses in private industry in 1999, making up 66% of the 372,000 new cases.[5] Overall, more than 582,000 musculoskeletal disorders were reported in the United States in 1999, accounting for more than one in three of the total lost-work time cases, and resulting in a median time away from work of 7 days.

Ergonomic disorders including CTS, various tendon disorders and lower back injuries, are the most rapidly growing category of OSHA recordable injuries and illnesses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that of all occupational illnesses, musculoskeletal disorders rose from 18% in 1985 to 52% in 1989 and 56% in 1991. Though cost estimates vary greatly, it is believed that medical and workers' compensation costs of these disorders are estimated to exceed $100 billion annually.

Median days away from work—the key measure of severity for occupational injuries and illnesses—designates the point at which half the cases involved more days and half involved fewer days. For carpal tunnel syndrome the median was 27 days. This was followed by fractures (20 days) and amputations (18 days).
These data are a product of the BLS Safety and Health Statistics program. Additional information is available from "Lost-Work time Injuries and Illnesses: Characteristics and Resulting Time Away From Work, 1999", news release USDL 01-71.

NATIONAL STATISTICS FOR CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
1. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), repetitive strain injuries are the nations most common and costly occupational health problem, affecting hundreds of thousands of American workers, and costing more than $20 billion a year in workers compensation.
2. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly two-thirds of all occupational illnesses reported, were caused by exposure to repeated trauma to workers upper body (the wrist, elbow or shoulder). One common example of such an injury is carpal tunnel syndrome.

1. Musculoskeletal disorders, including carpal tunnel syndrome, are among the most prevalent medical conditions in the U.S., affecting 7% of the population. They account for 14% of physician visits and 19% of hospital stays. 62% of the persons with musculoskeletal disorders report some degree of limitation on activity, compared with 14% of the population at large, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

2. 849,000 new cases of carpal tunnel syndrome occurred in 1994.-National Center for Health Statistics.

3. Approximately 260,000 carpal tunnel release operations are performed each year, with 47% of the cases considered to be work related.-National Center for Health Statistics.

4. Carpal tunnel syndrome results in the highest number of days lost among all work related injuries. Almost half of the carpal tunnel cases result in 31 days or more of work loss.-National Center for Health Statistics.

5. A report by NIOSH revealed that more than 50% of all food cashiers, (jobs predominantly held by women), suffered some degree of carpal tunnel syndrome and other forms of repetitive strain injuries as a result of the physical demands of scanning products at high speed.

The following sources are compiled from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-NIOSH.

6. The U.S. Department of Labor has concluded that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the "chief occupational hazard of the 90's"-disabling workers in epidemic proportions.

7. Currently, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome affects over 8-million Americans.

8. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the #1 reported medical problem, accounting for about 50% of all work-related injuries

9. Presently, 25% of all computer operators have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, with estimates that by the year 2000, 50% of the entire workforce may be affected.

10. Only 23% of all Carpal Tunnel Syndrome patients were able to return to their previous professions following surgery.

11. Up to 36% of all Carpal Tunnel Syndrome patients require unlimited medical treatment.

12. Women are twice as likely to develop Carpal Tunnel Syndrome as opposed to their male counterparts.

13. While women account for about 45% of all workers, they experience nearly 2/3's of all work-related Repetitive Strain Injuries.

14. Surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the second most common type of surgery, with well over 230,000 procedures performed annually.

This is just a small fraction of the statistical data available demonstrating the magnitude of just this one ailment (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome).

**Note: This medical garment is designed for temporary relief and is not a cure for any medical condition. Sufferers with acute CTS may have to use this garment more frequently than others. If this garment fails to give some sort of relief then, we recommend consulting with your Physician.